PREACHED:
James Study #2
“DEALING
WITH TEMPTATION”
INTRODUCTION
1§ The overall theme of James is practicing our religion.
A. Chapter
one: James wants his readers to understand both the nature of trials and
temptations and how to overcome them.
1. No
wonder that one author referred to James as teaching the “gospel of common
sense.”
B. Since
we are not immune from problems just because we are Christians, it seems vital
that James addresses how we bear up in the face of them.
C. The
focus of our first lesson (Vs 1-12) was:
1. Our attitude under trials
2. The value of them
3. The end result of bearing up
4. The
importance of faith, trust and prayer
5. The temporary nature of this life
D. Our
lesson tonight reveals some vital inspired advice on conquering trials and
temptations.
1. The word translated trial or temptation -
a. The
Holy Spirit selects a generic Greek word that might indicate temptation to sin,
or the challenges of the ordinary conflicts of life, or pressure to bear up
under outside opposition to the faith.
1) The
context determines the meaning.
2. The
fact that James refers to “trials of various kinds” (lit. many-colored) indicates that he is not
singling out one kind, but possibly all sources of trials and temptations the
Christian may face.
a. In
fact, the stresses we may face regarding our faith may tempt us to sin!
1) In
the book of Hebrews the major difficulty is the temptation to sin and leave
Christ because of the stress of trials and persecutions.
2) That
may have been the problem of Demas, II Timothy 4:10
a)
2§ What can we learn about how to
deal with any kind of trial or temptation we face from the book of James?
A. Text:
DISCUSSION
1¤ KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE GOAL!
A. V 12. “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has
stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to
those who love him.”
B. Focus on your crown, not your cross!
1. That’s what Jesus did:
a. Heb 12:2,3. “…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before
him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of
the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself, so
that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”
2. Paul wrote from Prison:
a. II Tim 4:6-8. “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering and the time of
my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me
the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award me
on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
C.
Courage
is a great motivator!
Duty is a great motivator!
But love is the greatest motivator!
1. II Cor
2. Where
there is love there is faith and trust in promises made!
3. God
made his promises because he loved us, but we firmly believe in them because we
love him!
D. In
the temptation of Jesus in Matthew 3, the plan of the Devil was to distract
Jesus from the goal!
2¤ Understand the Source of Trials and
Temptations!
A. Vs 13-15. “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God, for God
cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is
tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has
conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth
death.”
1. Even
though going through trying or tempting times and conquering spiritually over
them makes us people of character, we should not conclude, “God must be doing the tempting!”
a. Don’t
get mad and blame God for a failed marriage, or a lost job, or sickness, or
financial difficulties, or defeats or some sin that has ruined your life. Don’t
say, “Why did God let this happen to me,”
or “God doesn’t love me or he
wouldn’t have let me be tempted that way!”
b. The
very nature of God is altogether righteous and evil is not a part of his character,
either in being tempted himself or in tempting his people!
c. I Cor
2. Who
then is the tempter? Satan, the Devil!
a. Eve,
Job, Pharaoh, Peter, Judas and even Jesus!
1) James
4:7,8
I Pet 5:8,9.
3. But
don’t ever say, “The devil made me do
it!”
B. The
temptation is not sin, but how we deal with it can be!
C. Sin
doesn’t just jump right out at us, it moves slowly, step by insidious step:
1. A
good hunter always baits his trap with the right bait for the right
prey!
2. The
devil draws us by some customized,
desirable object that is dangled before us like a fisherman dangles the right
bait for the right fish. We may just nibble as first but before long, we
completely take the bait and if we don’t fight and get rid of the hook and we
allow it to set it will mean our death!
a. Never
forget that the Devil’s final objective is to devour you—destroy
you—cause you to be lost eternally! He’s the evil fisherman
who always keep the campfire burning and red hot!
1) And
he hopes that we’ll just take the bait and give up the struggle!
2) Gal 6:9. “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we shall reap
if we do not give up.”
2. Sometimes resisting may be painful!
a. And
that pain may cause some to say, “It’s just
not worth it; I’ll just give up!”
3¤ Accept God’s Goodness!
A. V 16-18. “Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and
every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights
whom who is no variation nor shadow due to turning.
Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we
should be a kind of firstfruits of his
creation.”
B. The
devil promises good gifts and brings evil; God promises good gifts and gives
them.
The devil’s nature is one of deception; God’s nature is one
of honesty and trustworthiness.
The devil rules the realm of darkness; God is the Father of
Lights.
The
devil always changes; God doesn’t vary.
The devil is the father of lies; God is the author of
truth.
The devil promises happiness and gives sorrow; God gives
the best out of our sorrows.
The devil wants us at our worst and he will give us hell
for it; God saves us to be the very best the world has to offer, and he in turn
will give us the best in this life and the life to come!
1.
Rom 12:1,2.
CONCLUSION
1» James challenges the Christian to
look in 3 directions:
A.
AHEAD
to the judgment and eternity
B.
AROUND
to see your blessings and the devil’s allurements
C.
WITHIN
to see God’s love and your potential